Nico Collins | Michigan 6’4” 215 lbs. 04/06/1997 (Age 24)
Nico Collins was drafted 89th overall by the Houston Texans, becoming the 14th wide receiver and 89th overall player in the 2021 NFL Draft.
COLLEGE PRODUCTION
| Year | Games Played | Receptions | Yards | Yards/Catch | TDs |
| 2017 (FR) | 2 | 3 | 27 | 9.0 | 0 |
| 2018 (SO) | 13 | 38 | 632 | 16.6 | 6 |
| 2019 (JR) | 12 | 37 | 729 | 19.7 | 7 |
| 2020 (SR) |
After minimal production during his freshman year, Collins made himself known during his sophomore and junior seasons. He produced a combined 75 receptions, 1,361 yards, and 13 touchdowns in those two seasons alone before opting out of his senior year. His yards-per-catch career numbers are insane (17.8), as he shows big-play abilities every time he touches the ball. He does show a small sample size as he played in only 27 career games in college.
STRENGTHS
Collins has a massive frame (6’4” and 215 lbs), and he has strong hands who can snatch balls at a very high point. His 7’9” wingspan is absurd, and he is great at catching contested passes. He shows excellent body control as well. His slant and curl-comeback routes are his bread and butter. He should become a great red zone threat.
WEAKNESSES
The Michigan product lacks deep straight-line speed, and he doesn’t create a lot of space while running his routes. Collins lacks great footwork off the line of scrimmage, and he didn’t produce terrific numbers at the college level. As mentioned, he’s also coming off an opt-out season.
ATHLETIC TESTING
At his Michigan Pro Day, Collins measured in at 6’4” and 215 lbs. Which equates to a BMI of 26.17. He ran a 4.42-second 40-yard dash, equating to a 112.66-Speed Score, and at 6’4” that is a 120.27-Height Adjusted Speed Score. Both scores place him in an elite 92nd percentile or higher. His 37.5” vertical jump doesn’t show eliteness, and he also recorded a 125” broad jump. He recorded a decent 14 reps on the bench press at 225 lbs, and he showed good speed for his size, running the short shuttle in 4.29 seconds and the three-cone in 6.78 seconds.
DRAFT ANALYSIS
Rapid Reaction to Draft Capital: Good
Rapid Reaction to Landing Spot: Good
Collins was selected with the 89th-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. He joins a wide receiver group that desperately needed help. He joins Brandin Cooks, Randall Cobb, and Keke Coutee, but Collins’ quarterback is a big mystery at this point.
FANTASY INSIGHTS
With where he was drafted, Collins should serve as his team’s WR3/4. He’s a top-20 wide receiver in this draft class, and he should be a top-100 receiver in the league right away. He’s not an ideal dynasty receiver, but he could turn into one with a few seasons under his belt. Collins is a freak athlete, and he should see the field right away for Houston.
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